Abstract

The use of organic fuel sources in open fire dressing of animals results in the production of Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) being released into the environment and which constitute public health hazard. This study investigated the PAH and heavy metals content of four abattoirs soils (Igbogene, Tombia, Opolo, Swale) and a control soil (Azikoro) all located in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Soil samples (500g) made up of three composite samples were collected with the aid of a hand soil auger at about 0-15cm depth. The soil samples were analyzed for 16 priority PAHs and heavy metals using gas chromatographic and spectrophotometric analysis respectively. Results obtained showed the absence of Acenaphthene, Acenaphtylene in all the abattoir soil samples. Benzo(a)anthracene (1.50µg/kg) and Phenanthrene (0.14µg/kg) were found in only Igbogene and Tombia soils respectively. Anthracene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Benzo(b)fluoranthene and Chrysene recorded the highest values of 4.99, 6.9, 19.18 and 9.83µg/kg respectively in Igbogene soil. The highest values of Benzo(g,h,i)perylene (22.11µg/kg), Benzo(k)fluoranthene (113.99µg/kg), Dibenz(a,h)anthracene (25µg/kg), Fluorene (17.14µg/kg), Naphthalene (46.93µg/kg), 2-methylnaphthalene (29.95µg/kg), and Pyrene (298.9µg/kg) were recorded in Swale soils. Tombia soils recorded highest values of Fluoranthene (33.09µg/kg) and Indeno(1,2,3 cd)pyrene (38.31µg/kg). Swale recorded highest concentration of total PAHs which was followed by Tombia, Igbogene, Opolo while Azikoro (control) had the least value. For the heavy metals, Fe was highest at all locations. Highest values of Pb (21.67 mg/kg), and Fe (857.4mg/kg) were recorded in Tombia. Swale recorded highest value of 6.08mg/kg in Cd, Opolo soil samples had highest values of Cr and Ni with 8.65 and 9.66mg/kg values, respectively. The control soil had the least values of all PAHs and heavy metals analyzed which suggested that the open fire animal dressing procedures in these abattoirs are contributory to the pollution of the abattoir environment.